Governor fine with spending on new Iowa DOT logo (AUDIO)

Governor Terry Branstad says his DOT director has found plenty of efficiencies within the agency and the governor has no problem with the agency spending up to $100,000 over the next five years to put a new logo on all DOT signs, stationery and other items. Branstad says Paul Trombino has “done a great job” as DOT director.

“I think what he wants to do is modernize the logo of the DOT, but do it over time,” Brnastad says. “…When you look at the overall budge of the DOT, I don’t think this is inappropriate.”

One senator has suggested if there are $100,000 extra in the DOT’s budget, it would be better spent on fixing up roads and bridges rather than on the “fancy” new logo. The governor says Trombino has “dramatically” increased the amount of money for the DOT’s construction budget by “hundreds of millions of dollars.”

“So I wouldn’t object to what he’s doing to modernize the DOT logo,” Branstad says.

The DOT’s construction budget for the year ahead is nearly $700 million.

Branstad was asked about the logo this morning at the end of his weekly news conference.